Machine or attachment for operating phonographs



3 3 Sheets-' Sheet' 1.

(No Model.)

, A. K. KELLER. v MACHINE 0B ATTACHMENT FOR OPE-RATING PHONOGRAPHS. No.518,192; Patented Apr. 10, 1894.

mvemon ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.) 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. K. KELLER. MACHINE 0R ATTACHMENT FORDPERATING. PHONOGRAPHS. No.518,192.

Patented Apr. 10, 1894.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS.

3 Sheets-Sheet a.

(No Model.)

A. K." KELL R. MACHINE 0R ATTACHMENT. FOR OPERATING PHONOGRAPHS; N0.518,192.

Patgnted Apr. 10, 1894.

INVENTOR BY %J/' ATTORNEYS phonograph in operation.

UNITE STATES ALBERT K. KELLER,'0F NEW YORK,

N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MEN TS, TO THE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHEXHIBITION COMPANY OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE OR ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING PHONOGRAPHS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,192, dated April10, 1894.

Application filed March 10, 18 9 1.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT K. KELLER, of New York city, in the countyand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Machines or Attachments for Operating Phonographs, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to machines or attachments for operating orthrowing into operation phonographs or talking machines through themedium, of a coin and in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereofI have illustrated one form of mechanism embodying my invention whichremains inoperative for the purpose desired until after the insertion ofa suitable coin; I have also shown a phonograph which is adapted to beoperated by an electrically driven motor, not shown, the motor circuitbeing normally open and adapted to be closed after the coin has beeninserted and myinvention also consists in the novel features hereinafterset forth and claimed.

Referring to'the drawings,-Figure 1 is a top View of a phonograph and ofa machine embodying my invention connected therewith showing the mannerof attaching such machine with the phonograph and the arrangement of thetwo machines with relation to each other; it also shows the position ofthe phonograph arm aftera coin has been inserted and the attachmentoperated, that is, after the phonograph arm has been moved from itsnormal position (at the end of the phonogram) and carried to the innerend of said phonogram, the motor circuit closed and the Fig. 2 is a sideview in elevation, looking from the inside or from the phonograph, of amachine embodying my invention the parts shown being in their normalposition. Fig. 3 is an end view taken through line rc0a of Fig.1,looking in the direction of thearrows on said figure; and Fig. 4 is asectional view taken through line y-y of Fig. 3 showing the manner ofconnecting the attachment to thephonograph.

The styleof phonograph or talking machine with which I preferably employmy invention is shown in Fig. 1 and such phonograph is adapted to beoperated by an electrically Serial No. 384,477. (No model.)

driven motor, not shown, connected with a source A of electricity bywires a a.

B is the phonograph arm andO the phonoplained. When the phonograph is atrest and the machine for automatically operating the same is in' itsnormal position, that is, before a suitable coin has been inserted, the

phonograph arm B'ois down in contact with the phonogram O or resting onthe frame A of thephonograph at the end of the forward movement of saidphonograph arm and the normal position of the parts of a machineembodying my invention is shown in Fig. 2.

, E is a metal plates from which extend arms or brackets c o and to thisplate and these brackets forming part thereof are connected the partsand devices comprising the mechanism proper embodying my invention.

F is a guide-rod supported in bearings in the brackets c c and upon thisguide rod travels a cross head or carriage G which is constructed asshown, having. at one end a downwardly extending arm 9 from which project a pin (1 and an upwardly extending arm or post g. From the otherend of said cross head projects an inwardly extending arm fv (see Fig.3) which extends to and grasps a sliding bar or'push rod H and isadapted to move therealong for purposes to be presently explained. Tothe rod H is attached a cross head or carriage I connected therewith bymeans of a set screw iand this cross head has an outwardly extending armh similar to the inwardly extending arm f of the cross head G, the outerend of which arm it extends to and grasps the guide rod Fand is adaptedto move therealong, and these two cross heads G and Iare adapted to bekeyed or united by a coin as will be hereinafter explained and when sounited comprise a movable coin-carrier. To one end of rod H is attachedone end of a spiral spring J, the other end of said spring beingattached to the plate E, (see Fig. 1) and this rod H passes through andis supported by the brackets cc and is adapted to be moved therethrough,and as will be readily understood, when the rod H is forced in,itexpands the spring J connected with it and when the rod H is released orthe pressure removed, the tension of the spring J will return said rodto its normal position.

To the brackets c c, is connected or pivoted at k 70, a rocking bar K,or lifting device which is constructed with a downwardly projectinginclined rib Z which extends for a part of its length only and anoutwardly extending rib or flange L which has a slot or guide-way mtherein and upon this rockingbar K rests the phonograph arm B, or theeX- tension D thereof, so that when said rockingbar moves up and down,it will raise and lower said phonograph arm and this rocking' bar Knormally rests on the pin (Z on the cross head G (see Fig. 2) and israised by the pin (1 striking the rib 1 under which rib the pin moveswith the cross head G and is lowered when the pin d, in returning,passes beyond the rib l, as will be readily understood. On thisrocking-bar K is connected an adjustable circuit making and breakingdevice shown in Figs. 2and 3 which consists of a metal piece M attachedto said rocking-bar by means of the screw 0 which passes through saidstrip into and through the slot m and to this metal piece M is united ablock of insulating material N to one side of which is connected a metalstrip a which is bent over across the top of said insulated material andextends slightly beyond it (see Fig. 2) and to this metal strip runswire a connecting with the battery and motor. To the other side of saidblock of insulating material is united a metal forked strip or springcontact P, to which runs wire a, connecting with said battery and motorand the motor circuit is adapted to be closed when the strips P and amake contact, but they are normally kept apart by the phonograph arm B,or the extension D thereof, keeping the circuit open, since thespring-contact P is in direct contact with the insulating piece Z) onthe extension D when the phonograph is at rest, as shown in Fig. 2, butwhen the arm Bis moved away the spring-contact P will return itself incontact with the other metal piece n,thereby closing the motor circuit.Asjust stated, this electrical circuit making and breaking device isconnected with the rockingbar K by means of the adjustable screw 0 whichis adapted to move along said slot and may be secured at any point onsaid rocking-bar according to how much of therecord registered upon thephonogram it is desired shall be heard, said device being adapted to beoperated by the phonograph arm at any point in its forward travel tobreak the motor circuit and thereby stop the phonograph. I do not limitmyself however, to the use of the circuit making and breaking deviceshown and desuitable device that is adapted to be operated i by thephonograph for the purposes set forth may be employed within the spiritof my invention.

Besides the adjustable circuit making and breaking device shownconnected with the rocking-bar to regulate how much of the record on thephonogram shall be heard and which is operated by the phonograph arm atany pointin its forward travel, I provide an adjustable device (seeFig. 1) consisting of a rod 12 having a head 13 of rubber or other softmaterial, which rod passes through the bracket 0' and is adapted to beheld at any point by a set screw 14 to regulate how much of the recordshall be heard by limiting the backward movement of the phonograph armand stopping such arm at any point from the inner end of the phonogramor commencement of the record.

In order to prevent the rod H from being pushed in too rapidly orforcibly and thereby injure the parts and throw the phonograph out ofadjustment, I employ an air-cushion or other suitable retarding orregulating device (see Figs. 1 and 2) and this consists of an aircompression chamber or cylinder R, supported in a bearing 1" secured tothe bracket 0, and through this air chamber is adapted to work in andout a piston rod S which is connected at one end to an arm .5 whichrises from cross head I, attached to the rod I-I; therefore when rod His pushed in, it forces the piston rod S into the cylinder R therebyretarding the inward movement of said rod and the parts connected withit and operated thereby.

Before a proper coin is inserted into the machine, the rod I1 and partsconnected with it may be moved in and out without operating theattachment or the phonograph, but when a suitable coin has been insertedinto the machine, it locks or keys the cross heads G and I, enabling theattachment to operate and at the same time operate the phonograph aswill now be explained.

In plate E there is an opening 0 for theinsertion of the coin and thecoin chute is connected with this plate (see Fig. 3) so that the coinwill pass directly thereth rough, preferably edgewise'or parallel to theline of travel, and this coin chute is constructed as shown in saidfigure of an inclined plate T which has a flange or ribt on the loweredge extending for only part of its length and another flange or rib ton its upper edge of one side thereof extending along its entire lengthand down one end and between which ribs the coin travels and thedistance between these ribs is adjusted according to the size of thepredetermined coin desired to operate the machine; to this plate T overribs 25 and t is attached another open plate orframe V. These plates andribs make a chute for the coin, which is ICO inclined in two directions.It is inclined downward so that the coin will readily roll down theinclined rib t, and inclined or tilted sidewise, so that the coin istilted over against the upper edges of the open plate V. If the coin isbelow the proper size, it will not reach as high as this edge, and willlop over and fall directlyinto the bottom of the box instead of passingbetween and keying the cross heads.

From the cross head G rises an, arm W which is milled out from end toend as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and forms a continuation of thecoin chute, it being located directlythereunder and the coinpassingthrough said chute will pass into and through said arm and dropon to a short metal piece or plate M; which projects thereunder (seeFig. 2) and said coin is thereby prevented from dropping into a coinreceptacle or hopper (to be hereinafter explained) until it hasperformed its function, beingalso held up against lopping over to oneside by the guide in said arm W and against lopping over to the otherside bya rib n on the cross head I, thus keying these two cross headstogether so that when the rod H is then pushed in both cross heads willmove together or be forced over to the limit of their inward movement,the coin being prevented from dropping after it has passed the plate toonly by the pressure against it of the cross heads, but as soon as thecross heads have traveled beyond said plate w and the inward pressureremoved, as there will be nothing to keep the coin from dropping, itwill fall into a coin receptacle as will be readily understood. Ofcourse the coin chute can be arranged to guide the coin on its sideinstead of edgewise and the cross heads may be locked for the desiredpurpose by a coin so introduced within the spirit of my invention. Toprevent another coin from being inserted into the machine before the rodH has returned, I attach to the plate E a pivoted device or arm 1 whichis constructed as shown in Fig. 2 with a lug 2 on one side, which whenthe cross head I is forced in by rod H, moves in front of the opening 0,closing said opening and this lug is normally kept away from saidopening by a projection 3 attached to the cross head I, with which.

projection the lower end of said pivoted arm 1 engages.

In order to detect whether or not the coin employed is'a genuine coin,since the machine maybe operated by a piece of metal if of the propersize, I secure in an opening in the plate E a piece of glass tbehindwhich is arranged a pivoted device which retains the coin and holds itto view during the operation of the phonograph and until said device istripped by the cross head G after another coin has been inserted. Thecontrivance which I employ for this purpose is as follows: To the plateE is secured a coin receptacle or hopper 5 having downwardly extendingsides 6, 7, to which is pivoted a bottom piece8 (see Fig. 3) and fromthe upper portion ofv said bottom piece projects a pin 9 which isadapted to engage with a trip or pivoted arm 10 attached to one side ofand projecting downwardly from the arm g on the cross head G and the arm10 is held against backward movement by a lug 11 thereon which strikesto the lower part of the bottom piece 8 di-' rectly in front of theglass, exposing such coin to View, as just set forth, and said bottompiece is tripped or tilted to throw out the coin by the arm 10 on crosshead G striking the pin 9 as said cross head travelsin its succeedinginward movement and the coin will drop into another coin receptacle ormoney box, not shown, placed immediately below; the arm 10 in returningwill ride over the pin 9 without tilting the pivoted bottom, as will bereadily understood.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The normal position of thephonograph arm is, as before stated, at the end of its forward movementor at some intermediate point and preferably down in contact with thephonogram; it must, therefore, be returned to the commencement of therecord or phonogram or at some intermediate point and to do so mustfirst be raised lest the needle point mar the record in moving over thephonogram; it is also normally against the spring-contact P keeping themotor circuit open and must therefore be moved away to close thecircuit. The phonograph arm may however, if desired, be normally held ina raised position, at the end of its forward movement or at someintermediate point readyto be moved without first raising it and afterit has been moved backward to the desired point, lowered andsubsequently raised within the spirit of my invention.

As will beunderstood from the previous description, the rod H and crosshead I which is attached to it may be pushed in and out withoutoperating or throwing the phonograph into operation until aproper coinhas been inserted into the machine and keys said cross head to the crosshead G, which latter cross head is adapted to operate to throw thephonograph into operation; that is, the cross head G constitutes amovable operating device or driven part which directly operates to throwthe phonograph into operation after the insertion ofa suitable coin butwhich remains normally inoperative or idle for the purposes desireduntil it is connected with other mechanism or driving part whichisadapted to operate or move it through the medium of a coin. p

Assuming the phonograph arm to be at its normal position, as is theposition of the parts of the attachment shown in Fig. 2, a suitable coinis inserted in the opening 0 in the plate E; it will travel into thecoin chute and ride on the ribt of the plate T and around its roundedend passing into the guide arm W and drop onto the plate 10 being heldup in place by said plate and the guide in arm IV and the rib n on thecross head I; thus the two cross heads are keyed together and when therod H is now pushed in it will move both cross heads, and the post 9' onthe cross head G will strike the phonograph arm B or extension D andcarry or shift it over to the desired point. Before however, the post ghas reached the phonograph arm, or at the same time, the pin 61 on thesaid cross head will strike the inclined rib Z on the rocking-bar K andas said cross head moves along the rocking-bar will be lifted, therebyraising the phonograph arm so that it may be moved to any point of therecord without destroying it. The cross heads are moved over until thepost g strikes the rod 12 and when the pressure is removed the coin willdrop into the hopper 5 onto the lower portion of the bottom piece 8 andbe exposed to view through the glass 4 and the spring J will return thecross heads to their normal position ready to be keyed by another coin,meanwhile remaining inoperative to operate the phonograph. Thephonograph arm has been left at the commencement of the record or atsome desired intermediate point and as the motor circuit was closed bythe movement of the phonograph arm away from the circuit making andbreaking device as before explained the phonograph will begin to talksince the phonograph arm has been lowered to the phonogram by thelowering of the rocking barK by the return of the cross head G, sincethe pin 11 thereof has passed beyond the rib Z on said rocking-bar,permitting it to lower. The phonograph arm is carried forward by. thefeed screw and mechanism forming part of the phonograph until it reachesthe circuit making and breaking device which it operates to again openthe motor circuit and the phonograph ceases to talk or operate untilanother suitable coin is inserted and the motor circuit closed again asfully set forth.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to phonographsas the mechanism to be automatically thrown into operation by a machineembodying my invention, yet I do not limit my invention to its use withphonographs or talking machines; nor do I'limit my invention to theparticular construction of parts and devices, separately or incombination comprising the mechanism shown and described which embodiesmy invention and which efficiently accomplishes the desired results, notto the use of my inventionwith talking machines or phonographs per 36since I use the latter term as ageneric term and intend to includethereby, all talking machines such as graphophones andphonograph-graphophones.

I believe that I am the first to conceive and produce the broadfundamental combinations between a phonograph coin controlled mechanism,and mechanism to shift or raise or lower the reprodncer which arenecessary to the production of a coin controlled phonograph. And Ibelieve that I am the first to combine such coin controlled mechanismwith a phonograph that is.operated by an electric motor, and also thefirst to include the motor in a circuit which can be opened at twopoints in the operation of the coin controlled phonograph. But I do notclaim in this application the broad and fundamental combinationsindicated, since these are all claimed in my other application,SerialNo. 379,824, filed January 31, 1891, for attachments for operatingphonographs, which, in the set of three ap plications filed by me tocover all my inventions is made the application wherein I have claimedmy generic inventions. Nor do I claim broadly in this application thecombination of coin controlled mechanism with a phonograph where theoperation is that the reproducer is normally in contact with thephonogram at the end of the record, and, when the phonograph is operatedin conj unction with the coin controlled mechanism is first lifted offthe phonogram, then shifted to the beginning of the record, and thenlowered. Nor do I claim such a coin controlled phonograph in combinationwith a motor for operating it, the circuit of which motor is normallyheld open by the reproducer at the end of the record. These combinationsare claimed broadly in my application, Serial No. 381,404, filedFebruary 14, 1891, which, though specific under the aforesaid broadgeneric application filed January 31, 1891, is still generic to thispresent application in respect of the last points enumerated.

It will be observed that in this present application, all of the claimsare limited to operating mechanism in which there are two cooperativeparts which are keyed by a coin. But without otherwise limiting myselfto the exact details of construction shown,

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-

1. The combination, with aphonograph, of a device to raise and lower thereproducer, and means to operate on said device to raise and lower it,said means being constructed in two parts which can be keyed or unitedbya coin, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a phonograph, of a device to raise and lowerthe reproducer, and means which can be moved to operate on said deviceto raise and lower it and at the same time shift the reproducer, saidmeans remaining normally inoperative and constructed in two parts whichcan be keyed or united by a coin, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

3. The combination, with a phonograph, of a device to raise and lowerthe reproducer, a movable cross head or carriage adapted to operate onsaid device and lower it, and at the same time shift the reproducer,another movable cross head which can be united to the firstcross head bya coin, and means to move said cross heads, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

4. The combination, with a phonograph, of a device to raise andlower-the reproducer, and means to shift said reproducer and raise andlower said device, which means consist of the cross heads Gand I whichcan be keyed together by a coin, and the rod H to move sa1d cross heads,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, with a phonograph, of a devlce to raise and lowerthe reproducer, means to raise and lower said device and shift sa1dreproducer, which means consist of two cross heads which can be keyedtogether by a coin, and a device to move said cross heads, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth. 6. The combination, with a phonographhaving 1ts motor circuit normally open, of a device to raise and. lowerthe reproducer, means to operate on said device to raise and lower 1t,said means being constructed in two parts which can be keyed or unitedby a coin, and means operated by the phonograph to open and close themotor circuit, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. '7. Thecombination, with a phonograph having its motor circuit normally open,of a de- V106 to raise and lower the reproducer, means to operate onsaid device to raise and lower it, said means being constructed in twoparts which can be keyed or united by a coin, and an adjustable circuitmaking and breaking device operated by the phonograph to open and closethe motor circuit, substantially as and for the purpose set-forth.

8. The combination, with a phonograph, of a lifting device to raise andlower the reproducer, an adjustable circuit making and breaking deviceconnected therewith and operated by the phonograph to open and close themotor circuit, and means to operate on said lifting device to'raise andlower it, said means being constructed in two parts which can be keyedor united by a coin, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with a'phonograph, of a lifting device to raise andlower the reproducer, an adjustable circuit making and breaking deviceconnected therewith and operated by the phonograph to open and-close themotor circuit, means to operate on said lifting device to raise andlower it and at the same time shift the reproducer, said means remainingnormally inoperative and being constructed of two parts which can bekeyed bya coin, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination, with a phonograph, of a device to raise and lowerthe reproducer, a movable coin carrier to operate on said device toraise and lower it, said carrier remainin g normally inoperative andbeing construct ed in two parts which can be united or keyed by a coin,and means to move said coin carrier, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

11. The combination, with a' phonograph having its motor circuitnormally open, of a device to raise and lower the reproducer, a movablecoin carrier to operate on saiddevice to raise and lower it, said coincarrier remaining normally inoperative, and being constructed in twoparts which can be united or keyed. by a coin, means to move said coincarrier, and means operated by the phonograph to open and close themotor circuit, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with a phonograph, of at raising means for thereproducer, shifting means for the said reproducer, which shifting meansremains normally inoperative, and means which can be connected to saidshifting means by a coin, substantially as described.

13. The'combination, witha phonograph, of raising means for thereproducer, shifting means for said reproducer, which shifting meansremains normally inoperative, means which can be connected to saidshifting means by a coin, and lowering means for the reproducer,substantially as described.

14. The combination, with a phonograph, of raising means for thereproducer, a shifting device for said reproducer, which shifting deviceremains normally inoperative, driving means which can be connected withsaid shifting device to operate it by means of a coin, and means tooperate said driving means, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with a phonograph, operated by a motor, of meansoperated by the phonograph to open and close the motor circuit, ashifting device for the reproducer, which shifting device remainsnormally inoperative, driving means which can be connected to saidshifting device by means of a coin, and means to move said drivingmeans, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with a phonograph, operated by a motor, of meansoperated by the phonograph to open and close said motor circuit, raisingmeans for the reproducer, a shifting device for the reproducer, whichshifting device remains normally inoperative, driving means which can beconnected to said shifting device by means of a coin, and means to movesaid driving means, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with a phonograph, of a device to raise and lowerthe reproducer, means to operate on said device toraise and lower it andshift said reproducer, which means consist of the cross head G,constructed as shown and described, having the post g and the pin 01connected therewith, and the cross head I, constructed as shown anddescribed, which can be keyed to the cross head G by a-coin, and a rod'Hto move said cross heads, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

IIO

18. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination of the rod H, springJ, cross head I, cross head G, and guide rod F, all constructed andarranged to operate after the insertion of a coin, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

19. In acoin controlled mechanism, the combination of a rod I-I, springJ, cross head I, cross head G, guide rod F, cylinder R and piston rod S,all constructed and arranged to operate after the insertion of a coin,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

20. The combination, with a phonograph, of a device to raise and lowerthe reproducer, a rod I-I, spring J, cross head I, cross head G, andguide rod F, all constructed and arranged to operate after the insertionof a coin, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. The combination, with the phonograph arm, of the extension D of saidarm, rocking bar K, cross head G, cross head I, guide rod F, rod H, andspring J, all constructed and arranged to operate after the insertion ofa coin, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

22. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination of the rod H, springJ, cross head I, cross head G, guide rod F and plate \V, all constructedand arranged to operate after the insertion of a coin, substantially asdescribed.

23. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination with the cross headI and rib 02. thereof, of the coin chute having opening 0 and pivotedarm 1 and lug 2, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

24. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination'of two movable crossheads to be keyed by a coin, a coin chute composed of the plate T andframe V, the arm or projection W, plate 211, and rod H, all constructedand arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

25. In a coin controlled mechanism, the combination with two movablemembers to receive the coin and to be keyed thereby, a coin receptacle,having a pivoted bottom, to receive the coin upon its release from themovable members, and a means actuated by one of the movable members totilt the said bottom, substantially as described.

26. In a coin controlled device, the combination with a coin controlledlocking device to receive the coin, a receptacle, having a pivotedbottom, to receive the coin upon its discharge from the said device, andmeans for tilting the said pivoted bottom, the movement of the saidmeans being controlled by the said device, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification the 23dday of February, A. D. 1891.

ALBERT K. KELLER.

In presence of- GEO. W. AYERS, ALEX. MAHLEY.

